Flow Launcher
Free open-source Windows launcher that searches files, apps and bookmarks
- #6 of 10 in best app launchers
- Free and open source
- Free to use
- Open source
- Windows
Ranked 6 of 10 in best app launchers
A free, MIT-licensed Windows launcher that searches files through Everything or Windows Search, along with bookmarks, Windows settings and the web. Plugin quality varies because each plugin is community-made.
Best for Windows users who want an open-source launcher with plugins
About Flow Launcher
Flow Launcher opens with a hotkey and searches files, apps, browser bookmarks, Windows settings and the web. For file results it uses Everything or Windows Search, depending on what you have installed. Plugins add other actions, and the site says they are community-made.
The site describes Flow Launcher as free and open-source software, and its license is MIT. Its code is on GitHub, so you can read or change it. Compared with PowerToys Run, Flow Launcher is the third-party option, while PowerToys Run comes from Microsoft as part of a utilities suite. Plugin quality varies, because each plugin is written by a different contributor.
Key features
- Searches files, apps and bookmarks
- Web searches
- Windows settings search
- Community plugins
- MIT license
Strengths
- Free and MIT licensed
- Searches files through Everything or Windows Search
Limits
- Windows only
- Plugin quality varies between contributors
Where Flow Launcher ranks
How Flow Launcher compares
| Product | Score | Price | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
#4 Wox | 86.5 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOSLinux |
#5 LaunchBar | 85.0 | Free | macOS |
| #6Flow Launcher | 84.0 | Free and open source | Windows |
#7 Ulauncher | 81.0 | Free and open source | Linux |
#8 Ueli | 79.0 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOS |
The full comparison table for best app launchers has all 10 products.
Questions about Flow Launcher
- Is Flow Launcher free?
- Flow Launcher can be used without paying: Free and open source under MIT. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is Flow Launcher open source?
- Yes. Flow Launcher publishes its source code under the MIT license.
- Which platforms does Flow Launcher support?
- Flow Launcher is available on: Windows.
- What is Flow Launcher best for?
- Windows users who want an open-source launcher with plugins. In our ranking of app launchers it is number 6 of 10 with a score of 84.0.
- What are the best alternatives to Flow Launcher?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Raycast, Alfred, Microsoft PowerToys, Wox.
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